Week of

February 26-
March 4

MONDAY: John 15:1-8 Connected “Who’s Going to Strengthen Me? - I AM!”- February 25
The metaphor of the vine and branches explaining our connection to Christ is a
vivid one which helps us to understand our relationship to God and to the Christ.
Scripture: John 15:1-8 (NLT)
REFLECTION: Reflect on connection using the image of vine and branches.
What is received from a strong connection? What is lost when the connection is
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off
severed or weakened?
every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the
branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have
TUESDAY: John 15:1-8 Strong Roots
already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.
In order for a plant to grow to its potential, the plant has to be well rooted.
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce
CONSIDER: Consider what happens to a plant that is not well rooted. Consider
fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you
what weakens in your life if you do not remain strongly rooted in faith.
remain in me.

WEDNESDAY: John 15:1-8 Gardeners

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me,
In this passage, Jesus refers to the vine, the branches and the gardener. Jesus is
and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can
the vine, we are the branches, and God tends the garden.
do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a
QUESTIONS: What are the responsibilities of a gardener? How does God tend to
useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be
your life?
burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may
ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce
THURSDAY: John 15:1-8 Healthy Fruit
much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my
In this beautiful metaphor, we read a vivid explanation of what is needed to
Father.
produce healthy fruit: pruning away what deters the fruit from growing and New Living Translation (NLT)
nurturing that which promotes growth. Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House
REFLECTION: Reflect on the health of your spiritual life. What parts of that life Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All
are flourishing? What needs to be pruned away? What can you do to strengthen rights reserved.
the connection to the vine?
MY NOTES:
FRIDAY: John 15:1-8 Purposeful Lives
God desires abundant lives for each of us. However, that abundance is not
physical wealth, but comes in the form of spiritual abundance and connection to
God and God’s gift of Christ.
CONSIDER: Consider the purpose of your life? How can your life be more fruitful?

SATURDAY: John 15:1-8 Point

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you.” (Verse 4) This short statement is the
summary of the metaphor.
PRAYER: God of the gardens of our lives, guide us each day to a greater
understanding of the importance of our connection to you and to Christ. Give us
the strength to prune away what is harmful in our lives and to nurture what is
healthy. Read or subscribe to the weekly guide at moumc.org/grow
Printed copies are available at the Connector Desk.